narrow options

USAGE SUMMARY

"narrow options" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which a person or group of people have limited choices or decisions from which to choose. Example: With his limited budget, his choices were narrowed down to a few options.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The new tool helps you narrow options by asking you what you're looking for.

The New York Times

This means that Germany, technically, has only a caretaker government at the moment, and Merkel has only some narrow options.

The New Yorker

In either case, the results in bankruptcy are significant, leaving the bankruptcy estate with increasingly narrow options if the company is to survive.

The New York Times

When our public story of violence and gender offers men and women such narrow options, how does a successful model like Brook make sense of her violence?

The Guardian - Opinion

Unlike the previously announced event, scheduled for late July, next week's hearing will allow for public comment on redevelopment issues before the corporation begins to narrow options being developed by its own planners and others outside the corporation.

The New York Times

Faced with narrow options for dealing with North Korea and strained ties with South Korea, a senior Bush administration delegation signaled its willingness today to pursue dialogue to resolve the nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Instead of trying to do the broader territory and the narrow focus, they should have stuck with the narrow option.

The Guardian - Opinion

From India's Nehru to Yugoslavia's Tito, the looming superpowers both courted and villainized these emerging characters, licking their lips at the possibility of proxy-loyalty and offering the narrow option of the carrot or the stick.

Huffington Post

And narrowing options abroad have driven demand in Britain.

The Economist

If you have very specific requirements, you will have narrower options.

The Guardian - Travel

They are narrowing options for women and children experiencing domestic violence and threatening the survival of vital services like refuges.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "narrow options", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the limitation or reduction in choices. Be specific about the factors leading to this constraint.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that options are "narrow" without explaining why. Readers need to understand the underlying reasons for the limited choices to fully grasp the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow options" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "narrow" modifies the noun "options". It describes a situation where the range of available choices or possibilities is limited. Ludwig AI also confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "narrow options" effectively describes a situation with limited choices. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, predominantly in news and media, as well as scientific domains. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to provide context regarding the factors contributing to the limited options. Alternatives such as ""limited alternatives"" and ""restricted choices"" offer similar meanings. Remembering to clarify the cause of the "narrow options" ensures clear communication and avoids potential ambiguity. The phrase is considered to have a neutral register suitable for professional and general use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited alternatives

Focuses on the restriction of choices rather than the process of reducing them.

restricted choices

Emphasizes the limited nature of the choices available.

few possibilities

Highlights the scarcity of potential outcomes or solutions.

reduced alternatives

Stresses the act of decreasing the number of available choices.

constrained selections

Implies that external forces or circumstances are limiting the available choices.

finite set of choices

Draws attention to the limited and defined nature of the options.

scarce opportunities

Highlights the infrequency or limited availability of favorable circumstances.

limited scope

Emphasizes the restricted range or extent of possibilities.

tight parameters

Highlights the specific constraints and limits imposed on available choices.

restricted parameters

Implies that something has forced or imposed the limits on available choices.

FAQs

How can I use "narrow options" in a sentence?

You can use "narrow options" to describe a situation where choices are limited. For example, "Due to budget cuts, the company had to narrow options for employee benefits."

What are some alternatives to "narrow options"?

Alternatives include "limited alternatives", "restricted choices", or "few possibilities", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "narrow options" or "narrowed options"?

"Narrow options" refers to the state of having few choices. "Narrowed options" implies a process of reducing the number of choices.

What does it mean when someone says they have "narrow options"?

It typically means they are in a situation where they don't have many choices or alternatives available to them.